Aeromonas genus is considered an emerging pathogen and its presence in drinking water supplies is a
reason to public health concern. This study investigated the occurrence of Aeromonas in samples from
collective reservoirs and wells used as drinking water sources in a peri-urban area. A total of 35 water
samples were collected from collective reservoirs and 32 from wells bimonthly, from September 2007 to
September 2008. Aeromonas spp determination was carried out using a Multiple-Tube Technique. Samples
were inoculated into alkaline peptone water and the superficial film formed was transferred to blood agar
plates amended with ampicillin. Typical Aeromonas colonies were submitted to a biochemical screening
and then to biochemical tests for species differentiation. Aeromonas was detected in 13 (19%) of the 69
samples examined (6 from collective reservoirs and 7 from wells). Concentrations of Aeromonas in
collective reservoirs ranged from <0.3 to 1.2 x102MPN/100mL and, in wells, from <0.3 to 2.4
x102MPN/100mL. The most frequent specie in the collective reservoir samples was Aeromonas spp (68%),
followed by A. encheleia (14%) and A. allosaccharophila (8%) and A. hydrophila (8%). Aeromonas spp
(87%) was the most frequent specie isolated from well samples, followed by A. allosacchariphila (8%), A.
encheleia (2%) and A. jandaei (5%). These data show the presence and diversity of Aeromonas genus in
the samples analyzed and highlight that its presence in drinking water poses a significant public health
concern.
